Diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis liver

Patients with chronic liver disease have a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of DM in cirrhosis and compare the virological profile, complications and outcome of cirrhotic patients with and without DM.

This was a retrospective analysis of cirrhotic patients between January 2003 and December 2007. The study population was divided into two groups, based on the presence (Group I) or absence (Group II) of DM. Demography, duration of diabetes, Child's Pugh Score and complications of cirrhosis were noted. Serology for Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was done.

A total of 582 cirrhotic patients were analyzed. A total of 103 patients suffered from DM (type II) (17.69%). The etiology of cirrhosis was ethanol in 266 (45.7%), Hepatitis B virus in 107 (18.38%) and Hepatitis C virus in 35 (6.01%) patients. Alcoholism was more frequent amongst non diabetic patients (49.7% Group II vs. 27.2% Group I P<0.001). The presence of HCV infection amongst cirrhotics with DM and those without DM was 13.6% versus 4.4% respectively (P<0.001). In comparison with HBV and alcohol, the prevalence of DM in HCV related cirrhosis was significantly greater (10.5% vs. 18.7% vs. 40%; P<0.001).

The prevalence of DM in cirrhosis was 17.69%. The prevalence of HCV infection appears to be higher amongst cirrhotics with diabetes when compared to alcohol and HBV infection.